Tumbledown (1988) (TV)

Director:

Richard Eyre

Writer:

Charles Wood (writer)

Release Date:

30 May 1988 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on the experiences of Lieutenant Robert Lawrence, M.C. |

Plot Keywords:

Falklands War

Awards:

5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Colin Firth	...	Robert Lawrence
Paul Rhys	...	Hugh MacKessac
David Calder	...	John Lawrence
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Jean Lawrence
Emma Harbour	...	Sophie Martin-Wells
Rupert Baker	...	Nick Lawrence
Jack Fortune	...	Christopher Lawrence
Roddy Maude-Roxby	...	George Stubbs
Ann Bell	...	Helen Stubbs
Sophie Thompson	...	Louise Stubbs
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Leila Bertrand	...	Night nurse #2
Tam Dean Burn	...	Sgt. Brodick
Timothy Carlton	...	Lt. Col. Bill Kirke
Tony Caunter	...	Air Commodore
Sharon D. Clarke	...	Night nurse #1
Ben Cole	...	Harry Hebers
David Conville	...	Brigade officer
Winston Crooke	...	Benny
Robin Daglish	...	Maj. Peter Walsh
Murray Ewan	...	CSM Brown
Martin Garfield	...	Argentinian soldier
Serena Gordon	...	Phyllida
James Griffiths	...	Surgeon
Brian Hall	...	Squandron Leader Wentworth
Victoria Hasted	...	Nurse Wendy
Paul Higgins	...	Saltemarsh
Dan Hildebrand	...	Prothero
George Irving	...	Tug
Arbel Jones	...	Welsh Lady
Charles Lamb	...	Elderly man
Steven Law	...	Cabby
Andrew Livingston	...	Young doctor (as Andrew Livingstone)
Edward Lyon	...	RAMC Lieutenant Colonel
Maggie McCarthy	...	Nurse Mary
Iain McColl	...	Colour Sergeant
Andrew McCulloch	...	Padre Maj. Alistair Tolly
Marian McLoughlin	...	Mandy
Ian Michie	...	Fraser
Charles Millham	...	The Noble Lord
Felicity Montagu	...	Tricia
Francisco Morales	...	Argentinian soldier
Angela Morant	...	Maj. Newman
Wendy Nottingham	...	Mrs. Prothero
Richard Owens	...	RAF officer
Stewart Porter	...	O'Rourke
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Major (Rehabilitation Center)
Edward Rawle-Hicks	...	Lt. Peter Fyshe
Edwin Richfield	...	Group Captain
Clive Russell	...	Terry Knapp
Sean Scanlan	...	Welsh Man
Roy Spencer	...	Hospital chaplain
Liza Tarbuck	...	Angie
Alan White	...	Yeoman Warder
Mark Williams	...	Lumpy
Mark Wing-Davey	...	Adjutant Stewart Inglis

Directed by
Richard Eyre

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Charles Wood		writer

Produced by
Richard Broke	....	producer

Original Music by
Richard Hartley

Cinematography by
Andrew Dunn

Makeup Department
Shaunna Harrison	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Melanie Dicks	....	second assistant director

Stunts
Gareth Milne	....	stunt arranger
Tip Tipping	....	stunt arranger

Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Beaumont	....	gaffer

Other crew
Matthew Hamilton	....	finance assistant
Mark Shelley	....	weapons armorer

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1989) (UK) (TV) (original airing)

Runtime:

USA:115 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Forever Ealing (2002) (TV)

Absorbing,Honest, Poignant,Gripping and Emotionally moving Film

This film is a 'must' to watch. I felt so emotionally overwhelmed and stunned after watching Colin Firths portrayal of Robert Lawrence that I felt the need to put down some of my thoughts and to thoroughly recommend this film to others. Tumbledown was totally absorbing, gripping and a poignant reminder to us all of just how our Soldiers suffered and what they sacrificed during and after the Falklands War. Its brought home to me the realities of the battle and the truth about how the Soldiers and their families coped with the aftermath of Battle and their own 'personal'struggles to recover from and cope with their physical and mental injuries during and after the War.

Colin Firths portrayal of Robert Lawrence's was totally captivating and electrifying that one could really relate to and feel the struggle that Robert had gone through to recover from his injuries and his experiences and nightmares of the battle, also it was chilling to watch just how insensitive and distant the Nurses, Doctors,some Senior Officers and people in general were towards our great hero's, their experiences and sufferings in battle and the mental and physical scars they were left with.

After watching Tumbledown it just confirms my beliefs further still that Colin Firth is such a natural highly talented, fantastic Character actor and he deserves far more recognition and credit when he plays such roles. It shone through that Colin Firth had thoroughly researched this role and whilst spending time with Robert during filming had got to know and understand the very essence of Roberts character,his sufferings and anger. Colin conveyed all of this to the audience with a natural honesty and sensitivity that was gripping, refreshing and emotive to watch.

Also credit must go to David Calder (John Lawrence) and Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Jean Lawrence), they were perfect in their roles as Roberts shocked and distraught Parents upon learning of their sons serious injuries, their love and devotion,hope and despair was very touching and distressing to watch during Roberts recovery and their feelings of outrage, helplessness and disbelief at how Robert was treated by some Medical Staff,some of the Army and members of the Public. This film should be a lesson to us all of how to relate to those of us who are in great need, to treat them with respect, honesty and above all as an equal.

Thanks first and foremost to Robert Lawrence for allowing his story to be told, to the writer for such an excellent script and of course thank you to Colin Firth for vividly, emotionally and honestly depicting Robert Lawrences story and character in an unforgettable emotionally moving, thought provoking film. The feelings of this film will stay with me always.